Mother's Day usually brings recollections and reflections of our Mothers. In some cases those memories are not fond, and for those who have been given this misfortune in life, my heart goes out to them. Fortunately, I have only lovely memories of my Mother. She passed away at the young age of thirty-six. Sometimes it is good to marry young. In my Mother's case, I believe it was a blessing. I was a war baby; my Father leaving shortly after I was born and coming back three years later. I was eighteen when my Mother died, rather than being a young child. At the time, she didn't seem young to me. However, I have a daughter that will be thirty-seven this year. I now realize just how young that was.

I have many recollections of my Mother, but I want to bring forth a very important principle. I don't recall any one profound statement that my Mother made to me, but my life was molded by her daily example in living. That example has stayed with me for all the years of my life. I believe that living by example is worth more than a thousand words.

Fond memories, I have so many that I wouldn't have enough space to write them. One of the things that I treasure about my childhood and adolescence is the fact that my Mother was always there for me both physically and emotionally. When I came home from school, my Mother was there with a home cooked meal and a genuine interest in my day. I was an excellent student, but Math and Science were not easy for me. My dear Mother only had an eleventh grade education, but she would read my text books and help me with my Math and Science homework. I would take it to school, and they would marvel at the method my Mother used to solve the problems. They would smile and relate that the important thing was that in the end, the correct answer was obtained. I remember in Junior High I had to make an apron. Sewing was another thing that didn't come naturally for me. I cried over the pitiful state of the apron I had to make by hand. I was sure I was going to fail the class, and that the strict teacher was going to rain down terror on me. My Mother sat in her chair, with the utmost patience and made the required stitches by hand. I cried and cried that the teacher would know that it was not my work, but my Mother assured me that in this case she felt the little bit of help was all right. I turned in the apron and passed the class. I have never forgotten that scene in the living room with my Mother. By the way, I still can't sew and further more don't have a need to. The subjects that I excelled in are the ones that have benefited me throughout my life. I have used those skills over and over and have been very thankful for them. The others were just trials that I had to endure and never found a use for in my life other than an occasional tidbit here and there.

I remember my Mother standing at the ironing board pressing my clothes on hot summer days with no air conditioning. She said that I would have many years to do this and to go on and do my homework or pursue reading a book or a walk outside. I have, in turn, done this many times with my own children. I recalled how those times of freedom from care and work lifted my spirits. I remembered how loving and generous my Mother was with her time and talents. I wanted to share that thinking with my children.

I couldn't write this piece without mentioning my Mother's sister. When my Mother was no longer there to share my life, she stepped in with the same love and attention that my Mother always gave to me. She was there for me until she passed away at the age of sixty-three. She was and still is a blessing to my heart. I couldn't begin to relate all the things she did for me from age eighteen until she passed away. My Mother and her sisters were "care givers." They made self sacrifices for those they loved. Although, they never thought of them as sacrifices. They lived a daily example of love and what a true Mother is. I hope that someday my children will feel that way about me.

What is a Mother? A Mother is pure love, agape love. Love that knows no conditions nor sought for reward. "There are three things that will endure-faith, hope and love-and the greatest of these is love." I end this piece with a quote from Abraham Lincoln. "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my Mother."